Boxing: Gavin Rees hoping to come out from the cold and live the American Dream

HE’S literally chilled out in New York City and could end up having his name written large in neon lights.

HE’S literally chilled out in New York City and could end up having his name written large in neon lights.

But Gavin Rees would rather be back home in Pant, near Newbridge, than spending time in some of America’s most glamorous tourist destinations.

Rees decamped to the ‘Big Apple’ last month ahead of his attempt to upset WBC world lightweight champion Adrien Broner in Atlantic City next weekend.

Since then the 32-year-old – holed up in an apartment just off Central Park with trainer Gary Lockett and sparring in the tough Bronx neighbourhood – has had to contend with freezing temperatures several degrees below zero and blizzards which have almost brought the city to a standstill.

It’s a harsh environment capable of bringing out a bout of hiraeth from any proud Welshman, even if Rees joked on Twitter: “ain’t that bad in ny city, we get more snow on the welsh mountains.”

But when he’s not thinking about solving ‘The Problem’ – the nickname of unbeaten Broner – he admits his thoughts in quieter moments have drifted to home.

“It’s been a good camp with no distractions but, of course, if I’m honest, I’d rather be back home in Pant. Everyone knows me and I’m at my most comfortable there, but sometimes you’ve got to make sacrifices for your career.

“It looked as if my world title shot was going to be against [WBA champion Richard] Abril but the Broner fight came up and I can’t wait for it now.”

While Rees aims to become a two-weight world champion – having won the WBA light-welterweight title in 2007 before suffering his solitary pro defeat to Andrij Kotelnik in his first defence – Broner is being hailed as the next superstar of boxing.

The Cincinnati kid – who is nine years younger than Rees and has won 21 of his 25 fights by knock-out – prides himself on his appearance and has his hair brushed in the ring just before the first bell.

But Rees – an incredible 80-1 shot with some Stateside bookmakers – laughed: “After I knock him out, I’ll brush his hair for him if he wants. He’s a Mayweather wannabe and we’ll see if he’s the real deal on the 16th. Broner’s a showman but he’s also got a lot of weaknesses, we’ve studied his last fight against Antonio DeMarco and devised a strategy to win.

“People go into these fights and they’re beat before they get there. But I’m a confident guy, I’ve been British and European champion, I’ve lost one fight as a professional in 15 years and I’m 100 per cent confident I’ll win.”

If so, Rees will return home with the world at his feet and plenty of big-money offers heading his way.

“It’ll be great to get back home, especially with the belt,” he said. “Gary’s done the cooking – he’s a dab hand on the chicken, rice and jacket potatoes – and been looking after me like the missus! But there’s no place like home.”

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